Today in the MHSAA: 2/4/16

February 4, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

As is annually the case, the first Wednesday in February was dominated by coverage of national collegiate signing day. But after the hoopla passed, there were championships to be won.

Competitive Cheer

Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills won its second Ottawa-Kent Conference Black championship in three seasons, edging Muskegon Mona Shores by fewer than four points at the league meet – Grand Rapids Press

Ice Hockey

With a 2-2 tie against Allen Park Cabrini, much-improved Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard won its sectional of the Detroit Catholic League – MLive-Detroit

Wrestling

Division 1 No. 2 Hartland won arguably the toughest league in Michigan on Wednesday, downing No. 6 Westland John Glenn in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship quad; the league also includes No. 4 Brighton – Livingston Daily

Niles solidified itself as first in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West again by downing undermanned rival Stevensville Lakeshore 37-16 – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

Today in the MHSAA: 10/23/15

October 23, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Notable milestones made headlines Thursday – among them, Rockford’s boys cross country team extending an incredible championship streak and one of Michigan’s best volleyball coaches being celebrated for 1,000 victories.

Cross Country

The Milford girls and White Lake Lakeland boys, both ranked No. 5 in Lower Peninsula Division 1, won Kensington Lakes Activities Association Lakes championships; Milford’s girls finished ahead of No. 4 Brighton and No. 12 Waterford Mott – Oakland Press

The Rockford boys, No. 1 in LPD1, won their 21st straight league title, claiming the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red; Rockford’s 10th-ranked girls added their third straight league title – Grand Rapids Press

Boys Soccer

Unranked Okemos edged No. 11 Portage Central in a Division 1 semifinal 2-1 after jumping out to a two-goal lead – Kalamazoo Gazette

Division 2 No. 14 Petoskey advanced despite three Cadillac comebacks, finally winning a 5-4 semifinal – Petoskey News

Division 3 No. 4 Hudsonville Unity Christian repeated as a district champion with a 2-1 win over No. 18 Grand Rapids Catholic Central – Grand Rapids Press

Volleyball

Unionville-Sebewaing, an MHSAA semifinalist in 2014, won its fourth straight Greater Thumb Conference West title by avenging an earlier loss to Bad Axe with a five-set win – Huron Daily Tribune

Class D No. 6 North Adams-Jerome needed to reach 31-29 to win its first set against Pittsford before finishing a sweep – Hillsdale Daily News

Good Reads

Battle Creek Enquirer sports editor Bill Broderick says what a lot of former high school football players have felt in his message to seniors playing their final games this week and over the next few – Battle Creek Enquirer

Longtime Midland Dow, Pinconning and now Bronson volleyball coach Jean LaClair won her 1,000th match last week; her team is ranked No. 1 in Class C and she was the 2015 MHSAA Women in Sports Leadership Award winner – Sturgis Journal